You have to be impressed with UK composer and educator Howard Goodall‘s ambition. His new book, The Story Of Music ($37.95, Chatto & Windus), aims to survey important musical developments from 40,000 BC all the way to 2012 – everything from the invention of instruments and notation to the advent of jazz and broadcasting. Based on a BBC television series, it’s got a breezy style and will doubtless irritate musicologists who tend to prefer more depth on their favourite subjects. But it’s a valuable overview for anyone interested in tracking the trends and inventions that have transformed the ways we listen.
